“Which payroll systems have GL mapping and custom file formats?” It’s a question payroll and finance managers across Australia and New Zealand ask every month-end, usually while wrestling with a GL export that won’t play nicely with their ERP.
If you’ve ever had to reformat columns, fix account codes, or wonder why credits don’t match debits, you know how costly these limitations can be. The truth is, most payroll systems were never built with the finance team’s needs in mind – and that’s where the trouble starts.
Why is GL mapping so frustrating?
GL mapping is frustrating because most payroll exports are generic, inflexible, and require manual rework to meet finance requirements.
- Generic exports that don’t match your finance system’s requirements.
- No way to separate GL account mapping from employee costing.
- No GL groups to post specific payroll elements differently.
- Missing balancing checks, so errors slip through until month-end reconciliation.
- Endless manual manipulation just to get the file into your ERP (SAP, Oracle, TechnologyOne, MYOB Advanced).
Why does GL mapping accuracy matter?
It matters because finance relies on payroll output to close the books, and mismapped data slows month-end and creates errors.
- Month-end close takes longer
- Posting errors creep in
- Reconciliations become a fire drill
- Finance loses trust in payroll numbers
In large enterprises with multiple entities, cost centres, and complex awards, the stakes are even higher – and the margin for error is slim.
Affinity gets it
Payroll is a very binary challenge: you either pay somebody correctly or you don’t. And because there is only ever one correct answer in payroll, this makes it perfect for automation.
At Affinity Payroll, we specialise in payroll to finance integration for enterprise organisations across Australia and New Zealand. Unlike generic payroll systems, we design our platform to deliver accurate financial data – not just payslips.
Here’s how we help you take back control:
- Fully Customised GL Mapping – your journals match your chart of accounts exactly.
- Separate GL Accounts and Groups – post differently to finance than you cost internally.
- Built-In Balancing Checks – catch errors before the file leaves payroll.
- Tailored File Formats – exports built to your ERP’s exact specs, ready to import.
No more spreadsheets. No more last-minute scrambling before the CFO starts asking questions.
What changes with Affinity Payroll?
| Without Affinity | With Affinity Payroll |
|---|---|
| Hours spent reformatting GL files each month | ERP-ready GL files import directly, no manual work |
| One structure for both costing and GL posting | Separate GL accounts and groups for flexibility |
| Errors only found after journals are posted | Built-in balancing checks catch issues early |
| Limited costing detail | Granular, project-level and award-based costing |
| Generic exports that don’t fit finance systems | Tailored formats built for SAP, Oracle, TechOne, MYOB Advanced |
Your clear path to success
- Review Your Current Process: Identify where payroll output is slowing down finance.
- Talk to Affinity Payroll: We’ll map your requirements and design a tailored solution.
- Run Payroll With Confidence: Deliver balanced, ERP-ready payroll exports every time.
GL mapping FAQs
What is GL mapping in payroll?
GL mapping assigns payroll entries to the correct ledger accounts and cost centres. It ensures payroll results post cleanly into finance systems.
Why do payroll exports often fail in ERPs?
Many exports are generic and do not match ERP formats or account structures. This forces manual reformatting and increases reconciliation errors.
Do I need separate mappings for costing and GL?
Yes, separating costing from GL posting improves flexibility. It lets finance and payroll track the same pay data in different structures.
How do custom file formats help?
Custom formats match ERP import requirements exactly. That reduces manual edits and speeds up month-end close.
The future you can have
Your GL file drops straight into your finance system – balanced, accurate, and detailed. Your month-end close is faster. Your CFO trusts payroll numbers without question.